Prostitution and sex trade laws vary according to region, country, and social norms. According to estimates from 2010, prostitution has been declared illegal in 109 countries of the world, whereas in 77 countries it is considered a legal trade.

The remaining five countries have no laws regarding prostitution, thus, making it legal. While we speak of the trade in terms of legality, it is best to remember that the issue of prostitution is a very complicated one.

In some countries prostitution may be legal, but soliciting paid sex may be illegal. Similarly, running brothels may be illegal in some countries. There are numerous grey areas related to the legal status of prostitution.

In 11 countries of the world “restricted prostitution” is permissible. This means that while prostitution itself is not a crime, other allied activities are illegal. This makes it impossible to remain in the sex trade without violating some law.

Countries where prostitution is deemed legal –

Argentina

Cyprus

Italy

Paraguay

Armenia

Czech Republic

Kazakhstan

Peru

Australia

Denmark

Kiribati

Poland

Austria

Dominican Republic

Kyrgyzstan

Portugal

Belgium

Ecuador

Latvia

Senegal

Belize

El Salvador

Lebanon

Sierra Leone

Benin

Estonia

Luxembourg

Singapore

Bolivia

Ethiopia

Macau

Slovakia

Brazil

Finland

Madagascar

Spain

Burkina Faso

France

Malawi

Switzerland

Canada

Germany

Mali

Timor-Leste

Cape Verde

Greece

Mexico

Tonga

Central African Republic

Guatemala

Namibia

Turkey

Chile

Honduras

Netherlands

United Kingdom

Colombia

Hong Kong

Netherlands Antilles

Uruguay

Costa Rica

Hungary

New Zealand

Venezuela

Côte d’Ivoire

Ireland

Nicaragua

Zambia

Cuba

Israel

Panama

Some of these countries, such as Australia, have different laws for different states.

Countries with no laws concerning prostitution –

Bulgaria

Guinea-Bissau

Indonesia

Lesotho

Mozambique

Countries with restricted prostitution –

Bangladesh

Democratic Republic of Congo

Iceland

India

Japan

Malaysia

Nepal

Norway

Sweden

In the United States of America, Nevada is the only state that allows legal prostitution. Sex trade is allowed only in registered brothels in eight of the state’s counties. Street prostitution is deemed illegal throughout the country, though. Previously, Rhodes Island did not have laws dealing with the subject of prostitution, but in 2009 a law was passed deeming it illegal.